E S Management

Review: I was a recent tenant from ES Management and got charged with multiple excessive charges on the security deposit. They held the security deposit of a large sum and then charged additional money to clean and repaint the entire apartment, even rooms that were only used to store boxes and clothes. The apartment was thoroughly cleaned at move out and maintained throughout the leasing term of one year. Unfortunately, I did not take the time to research this company before I moved in and find out I am one of the MANY victims of these fraudulent charges incurred on security deposits.Desired Settlement: Would like the respectable amount refunded of the security deposit. I understand minor fees for necessary cleaning of appliances etc, but due to the time spent cleaning and maintaining the apartment, I feel a full refund should be rewarded. If, not I need photographic evidence of the damage and full explanation as well as receipts/bills of the costs charged to me.

Review: A group of 4 CMU graduate students from China were making arrangements for apartment rental from E S Management. It was a 3 bedroom apartment monthly rental is $1,795. E S Management asked to make a deposit of $5,885.00 in order to move forward and process the paperwork. Bank wire payment was made on the same day. The 4 students did not sign off the agreement, did not sign off the application form. E S Management never confirmed the rent, never return signed application to the 4 students. Within 2 days the 4 students they asked to cancel the rental. E S Management refused to refund. The offered $3,000 refund or lower monthly rental for $100 which is not acceptable.Desired Settlement: I would like a full refund.

Review: I am the parent of a University of Pittsburgh student who rented a two bedroom apartment at [redacted] for three years. When she and her roommate moved out, they received only $130 of the original $1,295 security deposit provided to E.S. management. Charges included: $200 to repaint the living room. $100 to paint hallway. Notation was made that the wall was damaged but there was also a notation that no repairs needed made to the plaster.$200 to paint bedroom #1 Notation was made that the walls were dirty and damaged but there was also a notation that no repairs needed made to the plaster.$200 to patch/paint bedroom #2. Notation was made that there was damage to the walls but there was also a notation that no repairs needed made to the plaster.$100 bathroom cleaning cost. Notation was made that the walls were dirty.$165 furnace servicing. Note that our daughter has asthma so the hypoallergenic filter was checked monthly and changed quarterly. The filter and unit were very dirty when she moved in, so she left it in cleaner condition.These charges are unreasonable as the apartment was dirty when she moved in and she and her roommate returned the apartment in a cleaner condition than she received it. The walls and carpeting were clean. The furnace filter upon move-in was VERY soiled and appeared not to have been replaced in years. The bathroom had not been cleaned, including the sink, tub, and floors. The walls had not been freshly painted and were chipped in places. There were black marks on the walls. There were water stains (1 in the living room, 1 in the hallway) that appeared on the walls after move-in, which the maintenance staff inspected. Nothing in the apartment was leading to cause this damage, so the source of the water stains is unknown. There was no additional damage to the apartment beyond ordinary wear and tear.Desired Settlement: Complete refund of the security deposit.

Review: After the completion of a one-year lease, E.S. Management deducted from our security deposit significant amounts to pay for repairs on damages they claim were the result of tenant negligence. We believe these claims to be categorically false. We believe we were good tenants, leaving the house in exactly the same condition as it was at the beginning of the lease and even hiring a professional service to clean the house upon our departure. We also believe the amounts charged for the supposed repairs are unreasonably high. According to our research, this sort of behavior is common for E.S. Management. The company routinely refuses to return their tenants' security deposits and charges unfair costs for repairs. On this basis, we believe the deductions from our security deposit were unjustifiable and not made in good faith.Desired Settlement: We request that our security deposit be returned in full.

Business

Response:

We are in receipt of your letter dated February 20, 2014 with ID # [redacted]. Ms.

[redacted] had contacted our office stating that she was disputing the charges for her apartment

after her and her roommates vacated the premises. We responded to her inquiry, and provided

her with a disc of photos from when they vacated, which clearly justified the charges. The lease

outlines a clear ‘Move Out Settlement Charges Guide’ on page 16/18, which details the

minimum amounts for charges of cleaning, repairs, etc. The tenants were also emailed a ‘Move

Out Procedural Letter’ which was sent to act as a supplemental guide for move out in addition to

the lease. The lease is very clear on what is expected of tenants, and what they will be charged

for if they cause damage to the unit. The tenants did significant damage to the apartment and

were charged accordingly, as per the terms of the lease that they agreed to.

In response to Ms. [redacted]’s “research” stating this sort of behavior happens often with

E. S. Management, it is my observation that the people who do damage the our apartment’s

and/or violate the terms of their lease, are the ones who get upset when we actually go after them

to pay for the damages. In a normal rental year more than half of all of our tenants get their full

security deposits returned to them, and about thirty percent get part of their security return back,

and about 10 percent either get nothing back, or they end up owing us money. We abide by the

lease and expect the same from the tenants that rent from us. I noticed that she did not bother to

mention any of the damages that they did, or the fact that they left the apartment a wreck, and

never even cleaned anything in the apartment when they vacated. I’m sure that part was of no

impbrtance to her.

We have reviewed the account and do not believe that any refunds are warranted. They

were charged only for the damages that they did, and they were charged exactly as is outlined

under the terms of their lease agreement.

Have you any more questions; please feel free to contact our office. Thank you for your

attention in this matter.

Sincerely,

E.S. Management

Review: ES Management was my landlord for one year starting September 1, 2012 and ending August 25, 2013. Following the move out of the apartment, ES Management made many claims of damage by the three tenants that were simply not true and exorbitant in cost. In fact, their list of damages and costs exceeded the security deposit by more $1,500.00. The company threatened to put the tenants into collections if we did not respond with payment within 10 days.Desired Settlement: Most of the damages and charges are either the responsibility of the landlord, fabricated or overpriced. The tenants have jointly decided on relatively small damages that were caused by ourselves and what price was reasonable to pay. As such, we believe we should be reimbursed for the majority of our security deposit.